Lettering machine for drawings



July 30, 1963 o. BUTTER ETAL 3,099,344

LETTERING MACHINE FOR DRAWINGS Filed May 2, 1962 NI/ENTORS 0. utter, W Irmscher d R. Kaiser ATTYS.

United States Patent Office Patented July 30, 1963 3,099,344 LETTERING MACHENE FR DRAWINGS Otto Butter, Neckargemnnd, Waiter llrmscher, Mauer,

near Heidelberg, and Rolf Kaiser, Heidelberg, Germany, assignors to Gesellschaft fr industrielle rIechnik rn.b.H., Heideiherg-Pfaiengrund, Germany, a' firm Filed May 2, 1962, Ser. No. 191,843

, 6 Claims. (Cl. 197-150) rllhis invention relates to a lettering machine for drawings or the like.

In typewriters it is known to arrange the means for inking the types in the path of movement of the types near the printing point so that the latter is invisible when operating a key lever.

In lettering machines for drawings, however, it is important to make visible the printing point as the lettering machine must be accunately adjusted 'on the drawing before applying thereon letters, numerals, arrows, lines and the like. 'l`he printing point must neither be hidden by the inking means nor by means indicating this printing point.

-It is the object of the invention to provide a lettering machine for drawings in which the inking means is arranged in such a manner las not to hide the printing point and not to interfere with printing and in which the indicating means for the printing point are arranged so as to accurately indicate the printing point but 'also without interfering with the printing operation.

To achieve this object, the invention provides a lettering machine for drawings, which comprises key lever means, mechanical means cooperating with said key lever means, type bar means including type means :and lactuatable by said key lever means through the intermediary of said mechanicd means to move to a predetermined printing point, a housing near said printing point, a first axle supported in said housing, a swing iarm pivoted on said rst axle, a pull nod secured with 'one end to said mechanical means and with the other end to said swing arm, 1a second axle secured to said swing arm, a bracket pivotally mounted on said second axle, a stop on said swing arm and an inking pad in said hon-sing ttor limiting the pivotal movernent of said bracket, a tension spring secured to said iirst axle and to said bracket, an ink roller fior inking said type means and carried by said bracket so as to be movable by said pull rod into the path of movement of said type bar means under the action of said tension spring when a type bar means is actuated for printing land out of said path -of movement by said type bar means against the action tot said tension spring, a pin near said housing, indicating means pivotally mounted on said pin for indicating said printing point, and a torsion spring arranged on said pin to |act upon said indicating means, said indieating means being movable by said pull rod against the action of said torsion spring Iout of the position indicating said printing point upon actuation of said type bar means for printing.

Thus, the printing point is not hidden by the ink roller before operating the key lever means and is accurately indicated -by the indicating means.

A bend may be provided on the pull rod and the indicating means may include an adjusting arm `and a pointer, said bend being arranged to influence s-aid -adjusting arm. A tension spring may be provided for restoring the pull rod to its initial position at the completion of each printing action. According to `an important feature of the invention, the bracket is held in its various positions by means of said tension spring.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lettering machine according to the invention, with an ink roller, lan indicating means and Ka type bar in inoperative positions;

FIG. 2 shows the position of the type bar when striking on the ink roller;

FIG. 3 shows the position of the ink roller when being struck by the type bar;

FIG. 4 shows a type in printing position;

FIG. 5 shows the position of the ink roller Iwhen the type is in printing position, and

FIG. 6 shows the ink roller in the inoperative position according to FIG. 1.

With reference now to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a known lettering machine 1 for `drawings which has a key lever 9 pivotable about an axle 10. The key lever 9 has a nose 3i) which engages an intermediate lever 32 pivotally mounted on an axle 31 and connected by means of a rod 33 to a type bar 27 which carries a type 29 and is supported in a segment 34. Thus, the type bar 27 is movable by depressing the key lever 9. The reference numeral `26 designates the path of movement of the type 29. Also pivotally mounted on the axle 31 is an angle lever 15 which is engaged by a rail 16 hingedly connected to the axle '31 by means of a `link 36.

A pull rod 14 having a `bend 1S intermediate its end is secured with one end to the free end of the angle lever 15 of the lettering machine 1 and with the other end to the lfree end off a swing arm 5 pivot-ally mounted with its other end on an axle 3 which is supported near the printing point `35 in a housing 2 lot the letter machine 1.

The swing arm 5 carries a bracket 6 consisting of two two spaced apart links 61 and 62 which are connected by and pivot-able on an axle 7 secured to the swing arm 5 land between which an ink roller 4 is rotatable on an axle 41. The path through which the bracket 6 is pivotable extends between a stop 8 on the swing varrn 5 and an inking pad 25 which is provided in the housing 2 and serves for inking the ink roller 4. A pin 11 projects outwardly from the link 61 of the bracket 6 and a tension spring 12 is secured with one end to lthe pin 11 and with :its other end to the axle 3 and when the bracket is pivoted, the pin 11 will abut `against the end face 13 of a side wall 21 of the housing 2, thereby turning the bracket `6 relative to the swing arm 5.

On a bracket 19 of the housing 2 an adjusting arm 24 is mounted for pivotal movement about a pin 28 having a torsion spring 22 and a stop 23. The adjusting arm 24 has lan indicating nger 21 provided with a pointer 20 and is engaged by the bend 18 of the pull rod 14 in such a manner that the pointer 20 is always adjusted by the torsion spring 22 andthe stop 23 to a position indicating the intersectional point of the horizontal and vertical axes of the letters to be printed :at the printing point 35. When the pull rod 14 is moved -in the direction of the arrow A, the pointer 20 will be piv-oted to clear and expose the printing point 35. To retract the pull rod 14 into its original position, a second [tension spring '17 is provided which is secured with one end to the angle lever 15 and with its other end lto the frame of the lettering machine.

FIG. l illustnates the initial position in which the pointer 29 indicates the printing point 35 and in which the ink noller 4 is outside the path of movement 26 of the type 29 while the bracket 6 is urged by the tension spring 12 against the stop l8 on the swing arm 5.

When the type bar 27 is actuated by depressing the key lever 9, the type 29 will move through its path 26 and at the same time the pull rod 14 is moved in the direction of the arrow A through the intermediary of the rail 16 and the angle lever 15, the bend 18 of Athe pull rod 14 turning the adjusting arm 24 and thus the pointer l20 to suc-h an extent that the printing point 35 will be freed. Simultaneously the swing arm 5 with the bracket 6 carrying the ink roller 4 is pivoted by the movement of the pull nod 14 to such lan extent that the ink roller 4 projects into Ithe pamh off movement 26 of the type 29, as shown in FIGS. Zand 3.

rIlhte type 29 `on the type bar 27 is inked when striking on the ink roller 4 and then forces the bracket 6 through the intermediary of the ink roller 4 back relative to the swing arm 5, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the tension spring 112 is iirst expanded and then causes the bracket f6 to occupy its rearmost position within the housing 2, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this position of the bracket 6 the ink roller 4 bears against the inking pad 25 which serves as an abutment for lthe ink roller. In the positions shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, consequently, the tension spring 12 is situated on the side of the axle 7 remote from the housing 2, whereas in the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the tension spring 12 is situated on the side of the axle '7 which faces the housing 2. In the latter positions, the type 29 on the type bar `217 is alllowed to strike lon a drawing for the purpose of printing.

When lthe pressure on the key lever -9 is removed, the type 29 on the type bar 27 will be lifted off the drawing @and `the pull rod 14 restored to its initial position by the tension spring 17 acting in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A. At the same time the swing 'arm 5 is brought back into its initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 by fthe retraoting movement of the pull rod 14 and lthe pin 11 will abut against the end face 13 of the side Wahl 21 of the housing 2, thus moving also the bracket 6 with ltihe ink roller 4 back into the initial position. By `the action of the torsion spring 22, finally, the pointer will be neadjusted to its initial position shown in FIG. 1.

'Ilhe invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is there-fore to be considered in lall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing descript-ion and all changes which come within the meaning and range Iot" equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:

1. A movable lettering machine for applying printed characters at `different points on a `iixed iiat sheet of drawings, `comprising in combination, a frame,

(a) key lever means carried by said frame,

'(b) a linkage cooperating with said key lever means,

(c) type bar means including type means and 'actuatable by said lkey lever means through the intermediary of said linkage to `strike a selected printing point on ysaid sheet,

(d) a housing carried by said frame adjacent said printing point,

(e) 1a `first axle supported in said housing,

(f) la swing arm pivoted on `said iirst axle,

(g) la pull rod having one end secured to said linkage .and the other end secured to said swing arm,

(h) a second axle secured to said swing arm,

(i) -a Ibracket pivotaliy mounted on said second axle,

(j) a stop on said swing arm for limiting the pivotal movement of said Ibracket in one direction, and an inking pad in said housing for limiting the pivotal movement of said bracket in the other direction,

(k) a tension spring `secured between said iirst axle and said bracket,

(l) an ink roller for in-king said type means and carried by said bracket and movable by said linkage and said pull rod into the path of movement of said type bar means under the action of said tension spring when a type bar means is actuated for printing by said linkage, and out of said path tof movement by said type bar means against the action of said tension spring by return movement of said .pull rod and said linkage,

(m) a pin on said frame adjacent said housing,

(n) indicating means pivotally mounted on said pin for indicating said printing point, and

(o) a torsion spring arranged on `said pin to act upon said indicating means, and means on said pull rod for moving said indicating means against the action of said torsion spring out `of the position indicating said printing point upon actuation lof said type bar means `for printing by said linkage and key lever means.

2. The construction of claim 1, wherein said means on said pull rod for moving said indicating means includes `a bend on the pull rod and the indicating means includes an adjusting arm and a pointer, said bend being arranged to engage said adjusting arm.

3. The construction of claim f2, wherein a second tension spring is connected between said Ipull rod and said frame for restoring the pull rod to its initial position at the completion of each printing action.

4. The construction of claim t1, kwherein said iirst mentioned tension spring holds the `bracket in its various positions of adjustment.

5. The construction of `claim 4, wherein Ia pin extends from the bracket and engages said housing to permit relative motion between the bracket and the `swing arm upon retraction of the bracket towards the housing.

6. The construction of claim 5, wherein the pointer of said indicating means in the indicating position desinates the intersectional .point of the horizontal and vertical axes of the letters to be printed.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,237,819 Roebuck Aug. 112, 1917 y1,403,836 Block Jan. 17, 1922 1,434,739 Fabig Nov. 7, `1922 2,394,390 Mann Feb. 5, `1946 2,460,813 Dohn Feb. l8, 1949 2,949,176 Ebert et al. iAug. 16, 1960 

1. A MOVABLE LETTERING MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRINTED CHARACTERS AT DIFFERENT POINTS ON A FIXED FLAT SHEET OF DRAWINGS, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A FRAME, (A) KEY LEVER MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FRAME, (B) A LINKAGE COOPERATING WITH SAID KEY LEVER MEANS, (C) TYPE BAR MEANS INCLUDING TYPE MEANS AND ACTUATABLE BY SAID KEY LEVER MEANS THROUGH THE INTERMEDIARY OF SAID LINKAGE TO STRIKE A SELECTED PRINTING POINT ON SAID SHEET, (D) A HOUSING CARRIED BY SAID FRAME ADJACENT SAID PRINTING POINT, (E) A FIRST AXLE SUPPORTED IN SAID HOUSING, (F) A SWING ARM PIVOTED ON SAID FIRST AXLE, (G) A PULL ROD HAVING ONE END SECURED TO SAID LINKAGE AND THE OTHER END SECURED TO SAID SWING ARM, (H) A SECOND AXLE SECURED TO SAID SWING ARM, (I) A BRACKET PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND AXLE, (J) A STOP ON SAID SWING ARM FOR LIMITING THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID BRACKET IN ONE DIRECTION, AND AN INKING PAD IN SAID HOUSING FOR LIMITING THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID BRACKET IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, (K) A TENSION SPRING SECURED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AXLE AND SAID BRACKET, (L) AN INK ROLLER FOR INKING SAID TYPE MEANS AND CARRIED BY SAID BRACKET AND MOVABLE BY SAID LINKAGE AND SAID PULL ROD INTO THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TYPE BAR MEANS UNDER THE ACTION OF SAID TENSION SPRING WHEN A TYPE BAR MEANS IS ACTUATED FOR PRINTING BY SAID LINKAGE, AND OUT OF SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT BY SAID TYPE BAR MEANS AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID TENSION SPRING BY RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID PULL ROD AND SAID LINKAGE, (M) A PIN ON SAID FRAME ADJACENT SAID HOUSING, (N) INDICATING MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID PIN FOR INDICATING SAID PRINTING POINT, AND (O) A TORSION SPRING ARRANGED ON SAID PIN TO ACT UPON SAID INDICATING MEANS, AND MEANS ON SAID PULL ROD FOR MOVING SAID INDICATING MEANS AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID TORSION SPRING OUT OF THE POSITION INDICATING SAID PRINTING POINT UPON ACTUATION OF SAID TYPE BAR MEANS FOR PRINTING BY SAID LINKAGE AND KEY LEVER MEANS. 